FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Three bundle scars revealed when leaf is pulled away from stem. Individual leaves will sporadically turn red as early as mid-summer, along with Nyssa sylvatica (blackgum). Flattened bark has thin, vertical furrows. Thick twigs and branches with a diaphragmed pith, as in all Nyssa species.
Synonym(s): Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Description: Medium to large deciduous tree, with a buttressed trunk, to 20 m.
Leaves: Alternate, elliptic, shiny untoothed leaves up to 15 cm long, wider past the middle and with a somewhat rounded tip. Leaves appear clustered at branch tips.
Flowers/Fruit: Male and female flowers occur on separate trees. Fruits are small, dark blue-black drupes, 1 to 1.5 cm wide, born singly or in pairs on long stalks. Flowers April to June; fruits August to October.
Habit and Range: Usually found in standing waters in the Coastal Plain, mainly in poorly drained areas. Much more common and widespread than N. aquatica (water tupelo).
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Nyssa biflora (swamp tupelo) leaves are untoothed and smaller than the large, rectangular leaves of Nyssa aquatica (water tupelo). N. biflora also has thicker, narrower obovate leaves with more rounded tips than N. sylvatica (blackgum).
Click here to view Nyssa aquatica.
Click here to view Nyssa sylvatica.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
